Vladislav Panev, a member of the Bulgarian parliament, recently led a delegation of lawmakers from Bulgaria to Nigeria in late February. The visit was on the invitation of the Nigeria-Bulgaria friendship group at the Nigerian House of Representatives for a parliamentary exchange.
During the visit, Mr. Panev discussed various areas of interest with PREMIUM TIMES, highlighting the importance of strengthening relations between Nigeria and Bulgaria. He emphasized that political exchanges are crucial, but businesses also play a significant role in fostering stronger ties between the two countries.
One of the key areas of discussion was the promotion of peace through lawmaking. Mr. Panev emphasized the need for societies to prevent conflicts and promote peace, especially in regions like Russia and Ukraine, where there is ongoing conflict. He stressed the importance of democracy as a tool for preventing radical movements from gaining ground, particularly in the era of social media and radical propaganda.
Regarding education, Mr. Panev highlighted Bulgaria’s advantages for Nigerian students, including affordability compared to other European countries, excellent medical and engineering schools, and the availability of courses taught in English. He also mentioned scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students, with a focus on Katsina State as a priority partner.
In terms of trade relations, Mr. Panev discussed the need to improve trade between Nigeria and Bulgaria, noting that Bulgaria has historically considered Africa and Nigeria as key partners. He mentioned the protocol for bilateral cooperation signed in 2022 and highlighted the potential for boosting trade numbers between the two countries.
Premium Times